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Camp NaNoWriMo! (and Non-fictions)

And I am all pumped-up. One, because it is NaNo, of course. But more importantly… because it has been a while since I have done some serious writing. I mean I am a copywriter so major part of my days are spent writing, but it is not the same as writing a fiction. So this Camp, I am attempting to write under a super-tight schedule for the first time.

It has also been a while since I have reviewed a book. That’s because I’m currently reading three non-fictions at once and I really have no clue how to review a non-fiction. So, I also wanted to write about these books. Not a review, just a simple… idea sharing?

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

This book is about human thinking process. The basic premise of the book is about the two styles in which the human brain functions. Although traditionally termed as “left side” and “right side”, Kahneman begs to differ. He states that mind thinks in two ways: System 1 and System 2.

According to him, System 1 is responsible for carrying out the intuitive thinking, whilst System 2 does all the analytic thinking. Based on this idea, Kahneman describes our thinking process and various illusions that befell upon it due to the functional differences between these functions.

So far, this book has taught me a great deal of practical solutions for everyday problems. Most of those are concerned simply changing the way you think.

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Anyone even remotely interested in Behavioral Economics knows Dan Ariely and his Predictably Irrational well enough. In this book Ariely talks about the irrationality of human beings. He states, and goes on to prove, that no matter how much we would like to think that we are well-functioning, rational thinkers… we actually are not.

He also suggests that human beings are prone to repeat the same sorts of mistakes over and over, with almost predictable accuracy. That is to say that they are “predictably irrational”. His researches teach us how we can remain cautious of such irrationality and enrich our life.

Influence (The Psycology of…) by Robert Cialdini

Influence warns us about the psychological triggers that compel us subconsciously to react in a particular way. Robert Cialdini gives accounts of how a human mind is trained to react to certain events in a particular, predictable way and explains that those who know these triggers can have a dangerous influence over us. His book is both a way that explains the art of influencing, but it also is about knowing these triggers and staying safe, in case someone decides to use the similar triggers on us.

Besides these, I’ve also been reading (too slowly, in fact) Feast for the Crows (Book 4 of ASOIAF). Want to finish that up before its 5th season begins this April 13 on HBO.